The UTU International is conducting a Treasurers’ Workshop at its headquarters in North Olmsted, Ohio, Oct. 29-31, 2012. Attendance will be limited to 24 registrants. Those interested in attending the workshop should contact the office of the general secretary & treasurer to register. Call (216) 228-9400, or email Executive Assistant Nancy Miller at n_miller@utu.org. The [...]

Local treasurers should note that employees will continue to receive the benefit of reduced payroll taxes and access to extended unemployment benefits under legislation signed by President Barack Obama on Feb. 22. That law, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, maintains a reduction in the social security payroll tax on [...]

The UTU International will conduct a workshop for local treasurers May 15-17 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland workshop will be held at the UTU International offices in North, Olmsted, Ohio. Attendance is limited to 24 registrants at the Cleveland workshop. Newly elected local treasurers are encouraged to attend. Those interested in attending should contact Nancy Miller, [...]

UTU local treasurers must file Internal Revenue Service forms W-2 and W-3 forms for all employees receiving wages in 2011. The W-2 form reports wages paid to employees, and the Social Security or Railroad Retirement taxes and Medicare taxes withheld, and must be filed with the Social Security Administration by Feb. 29, and provided to [...]

The UTU International will conduct a workshop for treasurers Oct. 18-20 at the UTU headquarters in North Olmsted, Ohio. Attendance is limited to 24 registrants and the deadline to register is Oct. 7. If you are interested in attending the workshop, telephone Executive Assistant Nancy Miller at (216) 228-9400, or email her at n_miller @utu.org. [...]

The Railroad Retirement Board will mail to railroad workers in June their annual Certificate of Service Months and Compensation (Form BA-6), showing creditable railroad service and compensation for 2010. If you do not receive this Form BA-6 by July 1, or if you find the information to be incorrect or incomplete, contact your nearest Railroad [...]

By General Secretary & Treasurer Kim Thompson Just as you balance your personal checkbook and compare income to expenses in making decisions where to spend and where to save, we at UTU International make similar decisions with your dues. Accepting responsibility to protect the interests of our members also includes accepting responsibility to use the [...]

An opinion article recently published by the Financial Times and Fox News, written by conservative financial columnist Liz Peek, takes a nasty and incorrect swipe at Railroad Retirement, saying Railroad Retirement should be eliminated and folded into Social Security. The argument begins with a major falsehood — that Railroad Retirement is costing the American taxpayer. [...]

The Railroad Retirement Board reports it has adjusted benefits — effective with February benefits checks — for more than 140,000 beneficiaries to reflect new federal income tax withholding rates. The new rates comply with provisions of the congressionally passed Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. The new rates apply to [...]

Railroad Retirement, Social Security, Medicare and Railroad Unemployment Insurance payroll taxes have changed for 2011. Following are the tax rates: Railroad Retirement Tier I: Paid by employer: 6.20% on wages up to $106,800. Paid by employee: 4.2% on wages up to $106,800. Social Security (non-railroad employment): Paid by employer: 6.2% on wages up to $106,800. Paid [...]

Legislation

The SMART Transportation Division is making it easier for its members to make their voices heard in the nation’s capitol.
Our new Legislative Action Center enables members to learn about issues and legislation that directly impact their jobs and … (Read More)

Meetings

The SMART Transportation Division has set the dates and locations of the union’s two 2015 regional meetings.
The western regional meeting will be held June 29 – July 1 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.
The eastern regional meeting will be … (Read More)